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Our day was spent as a family in the country. I spent a lot of my time flashing pictures at on old camp ground - where the cabins are rustic and the views of nature in it's fall splendor surround you.

I thought I would post of few of the pictures of my day in the country. We had a laid back day with friends and food at the camp ground. Coffee was made in the "big" pots early in the morning when the sports equipment and campgrounds were being prepared for the day. The slam of the old screen door could be heard as refills were made throughout the morning.

The old bell rang to announce that lunch was ready and children and parents came to enjoy food and fellowship around the lunch tables. We enjoyed cold cut sandwiches with chips and lemonade. The afternoon was filled with games enjoyed by all - those playing and those watching. Sack races, egg races, and flag football filled the afternoon. Any church flag football game is interesting to watch - where the young boys try to play like the big men; and the big men forget that they are not young boys! Praise the Lord, no one was permanently injured - (although there was a lot of limping going on at the close of the evening.) I am sure church will be interesting as these men are reminded of their age as they hobble through their ministries tomorrow morning!

After the football game came to a close we made preparations for the supper hour. Chili had been made and brought by each family. It did not come alone either! There was a whole table filled with "fixens" and desserts to please even the hungriest of men! There is something about a nice hot bowl of chili on a beautiful fall day like today!

We closed off the day with singing hymns and giving testimonies about the greatness and power of God. How wonderful to sit under the awning singing and watching as the birds hovered in the tress above gathering their supper for the evening.

I finished the day by purchasing some fall decorations at a nearby pumpkin trailer. It was a typical country pumpkin stand - with the prices clearly marked and a jar sitting close for honest customers to use during their checkout. (I will have to post pics of the decorations around my yard next week!)

I trust you had a wonderful weekend and a blessed "Lord's Day" tomorrow. What a wonderful God we serve!

"First - Mommy's birthday and then my birthday!" I have heard this throughout most of the month. Well - his birthday finally arrived. Zak is 5 now! What a wonderful birthday celebration we had!

We sat down as a family to a home cooked meal of Pork Chops, Mashed Potatoes and Sliced Tomatoes - (fresh from the garden). What a wonderful meal we shard together as a family. Sometimes, in the middle of the meal - I find myself sitting back and just listening as the children and Daddy interact together in playful conversation. It is those little moments that I realize that I am most blessed.

After the meal - the cake was brought out for the celebration. Rachel made this cake for this birthday and decorated it with sprinkles adorning the top of the frosting. The candles were placed on the cake - 5 of them all in a line. The birthday boy was excited beyond what words could say - but body motions spoke volumes! The candles lit - we waited for a moment until Zak broke out in song - "Happy Birthday..." then he paused as if to tell us that we needed to hurry up and sing him the song - (He DID have to wait ALL year long - through all the other birthday's to finally get to his special day!) The candles were blown out - by Zak (and just a little help from Daddy too).

The gifts were unwrapped before the cake was eaten - (to keep the presents from getting sticky) - What joy everyone had watching Zak unwrap his gifts. (Sometimes I think the kids get more fun in watching their siblings open up the gifts that were purchased from them - more than opening up the gifts purchased FOR them on their special day :) Cars, Trucks, Coloring books and a monkey names Tyler sat upon the table - having done their job in showing little Zak how special he is and how much he is loved by his family.

Cake was eaten by all; dishes done by the girls and the floors vacuumed by James. Zak could be found in the front room playing and having a wonderful time with his new toys.What a wonderful birthday we had for a wonderful little boy. I can not believe that he is five! Where does the time go? I am thinking that we are in need of a baby in the house - I am hoping that God feels the same way too - soon?!Hope you had a wonderful day.

Kelli over at "There's No Place Like Home" hosts a show and tell every Friday. Hop on over and see her special treasures along with links from others who participate in this fun little activity!

This Friday I wanted to share a precious treasure to me. This past spring my Grandmother passed away. It was a blessing to know she was a Christian and went home to Heaven to be with the Lord. She had been in a lot of pain suffering from arthritis and osteoporosis. I was so happy to know that her pain was ended; but miss her so much.

I was able to attend her funeral. It was a blessing to be able to play and sing for her funeral - as she had said many times she wanted me to to that for her. I was never sure I would be able to - but told her I would try. We sang many of her favorite hymns and I tried to play my best to make her proud. When I was preparing to come back home I was presented with something she wanted me to have - her hymnbooks. I was awestruck and blessed by the heirloom given to me that day.

When I arrived home I began going through them and playing the old hymns lining the pages of these old books. I noticed a different flavor to the hymnbooks of yesteryear and our modern hymn books. So many of the pages are filled with songs about Heaven. I have thought as I have held those books in my hands - that our grandparents and great grandparents of old held these song books in their hands as they suffered through the depression, famine, wars and family tragedy. It became clear to me that their focus and their stamina came about in part by the hymns that filled their worship on Sunday, their kitchens on Mondays and their children's lullabies at the close of the day - hymns of Heaven and the glorious life that awaited them after this life ended.

How I will treasure these books for years to come. I thankful I was to have them passed on to me. I stayed with my grandmother for quite awhile after my grandfather passed away in 1984. I would spend my days working in the garden with my grandmother, cleaning the house and the many duties that we had during the day; but at the close of the day - when the sun was setting and the evening dishes where done - we would pull out these old hymnbooks and sit together and sing our favorite hymns. In one of the books my grandmother had written the pages numbers of three of her favorites in that book - I was there when she wrote those pages - and seeing her handwriting again - made me feel close to her in my heart.

One of my favorite hymns is "Day by Day" :

Day by day and with each passing moment - strength I find to meet my trails here.

Trusting in my Father's wise bestowment - I've no cause for worry or for fear.

He whose heart is kind beyond all measure - gives unto each day what He deems best.

Lovingly it's part of pain and pleasure - mingled toil with peace and rest.

Thanks for stopping by this Friday. I would love to have you tell me your favorite hymn.

Our week is finally finishing up. What a week we have had! Praise the Lord it all got done - and we are ready to start a new week ahead of us.

Friday I stayed pretty close to home and tried my best to get things back up and running from me being sick. It did seem that no matter how hard I tried to get things back in order - I just could not quite get it all done. I kinda felt like I was spinning my wheels. After I tucked the kids into bed for the night - I was able to get quite proficient at my work and in no time at all - the house was straightened - autumn scented candle was glowing and two pumpkin pies were cooling on the counter top. I propped my feet up and finished reading the new Beverly Lewis book that I received for my birthday from the kids. (It was a good read and I truly enjoyed every page!).

I got up early this morning to get two of my kiddos off to a Jr Retreat. They were all excited and thrilled about going. I hope they are having a good time today! They will be back this evening - Lord willing. I then showered and headed off the the church to prepare for a men's conference our church was hosting. I was able to serve up lunch to about 40 men - and did no get frazzled at all. Everything went really smooth! Praise the Lord for his strength - I really had a good time today being at the church and getting everything ready. I think that the conference went well.

Our week is wrapping up. My Hubie is out on the ladder washing off the south side of the house to prepare it for painting this week. My youngest is sitting in a chair not too far from Dad asking when he can spray the house and my oldest is also helping Daddy with whatever he needs for her to do. Never a dull moment. From the looks of things - I will be giving early baths tonight!

We have company coming over for dinner tomorrow and I am looking forward to that. I thought I would include the menu for out lunch tomorrow. Hopefully the food will be good and I know the fellowship will be great. It is such a blessing to be able to be in the ministry and open our home to so many guests. When I think about the men and women that my children have been able to meet and talk with - I am amazed. What a privilege God has given to me and my family.

I will close for now and get the leftover lasagna out and some hungry mouths fed. Soon they will be all bedded down for the night - and I will make preparations for Sunday morning - always busy.

Sunday Afternoon Menu

Oven Roasted ChickenBaked Potatoes

Steamed Broccoli

Tossed Salad

Dinner Rolls

Pumpkin Pie with Whipped Topping

Sweet Tea / Coffee and Diet Coke :)

(Perhaps I will include pics from tomorrow's lunch - if I remember to take them!)

A busy week - full of plans - full of obligations that must be fulfilled. Yet, sickness also came. Not the right time, not the right week - too much to do!

God knew.

He knew the busy week I was to have - and also that I would be sick - and yet...

God allowed.

"Why?" I ask - I am reminded of a better question -"What?" What can I learn from having my fully planned week altered by sickness.

I have learned that God gives strength when I am weak. His strength in my weakness is greater than the greatest endurance I can muster up in my strength.

He refreshes my soul when I am weak. How sweet His Word has been to the delight of my soul this week.

Ps 104:13 "He watereth the hills from his chambers: the earth is satisfied with the fruit of thy works."

The hills feel His refreshment - so much more my soul as I sit and meditate on His good works to me. The earth is satisfied with His works - so much more my soul - which has been redeemed from sin and misery - oh my soul - when dwelling upon the goodness of the Lord - oh how satisfied!

God is real... God is there... God allows.

"Bless the Lord, oh my soul and all that is within me - bless His holy name..."

We got a call early this morning that a dear man in our church went home to be with the Lord. He has lingered longer than anyone thought he would - and we have cherished those extra days.

There are some people that when you are around them, you feel you are a little closer to Heaven's shore - for they know God so well. How we will miss him! - - so close to God he almost glowed. What a blessing he has been to our family - what a strong confidence it was knowing he was praying for us and the ministry of the church. How greatly he will be missed.

How absolutely sublime it must have been in the wee hours of the morning when his soul departed from his broken down earthly body and stepped into the presence of his King. Oh - how welcoming that home going. How rapturous his spirit the moment his eyes set sight on his Jesus! Oh, I wish I could have been there - when God welcomed his tired child - his servant home.

We will say goodbye this week - to our friend, our encourager, our prayer warrior ; but it will not be forever - we will meet again on the blessed land far away. We will sit down, remember and rest in the presence of our Savior. We grieve now, for we miss him, yet, we look forward to our own home going - where we will be united in God's presence - rejoicing together in the Glory of the Lord.

31. The joy of having only dated one man - my husband - he is the first and only man I have ever loved.32. The privilege of having heard some of the most dynamic preacher of this century: (Dr. Ed Nelson, Monroe Parker, Bob Jones Sr., Dr Bill Rice, Lester Roloff, Dr. Ron Comfort - to name a few) 33. The knowledge that the moment I die - I will be with my Savior - no more pain or heartache; but complete rejoicing in His presence. What a day that will be!34. The fulfilment of having a God given purpose in life. Knowing that God has a plan for me - and living each day to that end - what complete satisfaction!

35. The ability to express emotions - I love to laugh, to cry - to feel.36. (Last - but defiantly not least) I am so thankful that God saved me. So undeserving - but oh, so needy - "Thank You God for saving me!"

I am most blessed! I am so thankful that God has given me life - 36 years - I trust my life will count for Him - not be wasted on myself.

"Only one life - will soon be past - only what's done for Christ will last."

"He is no fool who gives what he can not keep to gain what he can not loose!" -Jim Elliot

11. A sister - with whom I have found a kindred spirit and the joy of sharing our hearts one with another.

12. A brother - who has far surpassed me in height as well as expectations!

13. Living in a free country where I can worship God as I choose - and share my faith with others with whom I come in contact.

14. The gift of friends - who challenge me when I am down - and make my life a lot brighter15. A wonderful house - that God has allowed me to pour my heart and soul into - I love my house! (We are currently repainting the whole exterior of the house - stay tuned for before and after pics)

16. Parents who sacrificed to give me piano lessons; allowing me to invest in a "life time of enjoyment".

17. The gift of sight - what an artistic God I have - the beauty of nature points majestically to Him.

18. The gift of hearing - listening to my kids laugh, birds sing, water rushing down a riverbed and beautiful music - are some of my favorite sounds.

19. The gift of touch - I love giving hugs - to my kids, my husband and to friends. I can not imagine a world without the ability to feel.

20. The gift of food - ( I have tasted well and abundantly with this one) - I love food! - enough said.